It is all about giving back from Barbara and Tom Sams.
The happy couple hopped aboard their sleigh and made the trip down to Central Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and provided Christmas joy to students while donned in attire as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
As the couple went through the school, high fives and laughter was shared by all, including students and teachers alike. Special visitors inside the classrooms allowed students to sit on Santa’s lap to receive a last minute request of sorts to prepare for Christmas next week.
“We just upped and decided to do it,” Barbara said with a smile. The Sams have put on these types of events in the past, she added, including stops at country clubs in Virginia and visiting Harold McCormick Elementary School multiple times.”
As children gave hugs inside Mrs. Vickie Gouge’s classroom, Barbara looked on as Santa Claus received hugs from each of the children in the room.
“This makes it worthwhile,” she said. “Just to see the smiles on the children’s faces.”
Carter County has been a hotbed of action for Christmas activities with various carolers and multiple Santa appearances happening just about everywhere.
Residents have another opportunity to see Santa on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Elizabethton Parks & Recreation Department for the second annual Story Time with Santa program. The event is scheduled to last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility’s main building located on 300 West Mill St., right down the road from Joe O’Brien Field.
The event saw around 200 children show up last year, according to Kelly Kitchens with Parks & Rec.
Attendees will be greet with inflatables inside the Parks & Rec gym. The inflatables will be available until around 12:30 p.m. While having inflatables, children have the chance to listen to Santa Claus read a story and have photos made with the North Pole native.
The City of Elizabethton is sponsoring the event with Bojangles. The Elizabethton chain is providing snacks and refreshment during the day.
For more information on the event, contact the Parks & Rec department at (423) 547-6441.